As adults, we understand that Lent is a time to prepare our minds and hearts for the death and resurrection of Jesus, but this is something that our children are still learning. 

 Thrivent.com suggests that we  “switch up the usual ‘God is great, God is good’ prayer before a family meal with a special Lenten prayer.  You’ll be creating a new tradition, and the message will start to sink in for kids after a few years.  Not sure where to start? ‘We put a poster board on the fridge and we’d draw or write things we were  thankful for, and we’d incorporate them into our prayers.  We also saved the Christmas cards people sent us last year, picked one per night and included that family in our prayers.’” 

It is as simple as that!  Give it a try with your family.

Stay tuned for next month’s…

                                                  Bringing Christ into the Home.

 It doesn’t happen all that often when I can just feel God’s presence, but this last month, on a Sunday night, I was amazed.  You see, I am going to the National Youth Gathering with two of our students from here at Good Shepherd, and 4 other students from Trinity (well those are the students in my group anyway).  I finally got to meet all of these youth, and was a little nervous considering I did not know 90% of the people in the room.

Our main project for the night was to paint penguins for a fundraiser…and as we painted we chatted.  I began to realize that my group of kids has a lot of energy, a lot of spirit, amazing    personalities, and great excitement.  It really did begin to make me more excited about the coming National Youth Gathering event.

 The night ended with a small devotional time in which we were asked to speak to our youth about who had made the most impact on their faith life.  Regardless of the excessive energy and laughing that had happened only moments prior…these youth instantly became serious and involved in a heartfelt conversation.  That change in demeanor was a blessing from the Lord in and of itself, but the blessings did not end there.  You would not believe the answers that were given.  One youth said that her aunt was the one who impacted her faith the most.  She proceeded to talk about how she had never felt God’s presence in a Bible Study the way she did at her aunt’s Bible Study.  Another said their grandpa impacted their faith the most because when no one else in his family was going to church his grandpa was always going and was always willing to take him along.  And another youth said that her cousins made the most impact on her faith life because they always tried to do what was right and even encouraged her to join them in doing a Bible Study for her grandfather when he was in the hospital.

The emotions present in our group at this time were indescribable.  The faith of these youth had truly been impacted by the lives of others.  It was like they had blinders on, blocking them from the outside world, so that they could be completely focused on Christ.

How often do we impact other’s ideas of Christianity, by our own actions and words?  I would suggest that we make an impact much more often than what we would ever imagine, be us young or old.  All of us make a spiritual impact on one another.  The big question is…are you remembering who you represent?

These youth were representing Christ.  They had their focus on Him.  Are we such a strong witness?  None of us are perfect, but when we focus our eyes on the prize of Christ, and we put our blinders on to the world, there is no way we can be distracted.

So put your blinders on, set your eyes on Christ and REMEMBER WHO YOU REPRESENT – CHRIST!

With gratefulness to those who remind me of this gift,

            Deaconess Jessica Feldmann

 

Celebrations

             

 

Good Shepherd has many wonderful things to celebrate.  Here are a few things that we are thankful for this month:

† -- Children and youth are being incorporated into our Lenten services…showing us some of the gifts God has given them.

†  --10 couples attended the first Fireproof Bible Study, which takes place on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of every month at 12:15 p.m.

† --Another male has joined our Adult Choir!

†  --Our combined service was a hit!  Everyone seemed to enjoy the special music, as well as all of the voices in the congregation to sing with.

 

---

 

 

 

Extra Special Participation Night

WE NEED YOU TO PARTICIPATE!  ESPN 3 is an evening prepared with EVERYONE in mind!  This is a family event that You WILL NOT want to miss!  There will be food, basketball, movies, football talk, board games, card games, and craft sessions (bring the craft you are currently working on, or bring your knitting or crocheting supplies for lessons), This is the night for fun and excitement with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Get your participation tickets from announcers in the back of the church following the church services.  We want to know that YOU will be there!  ESPN 3 will take place on Friday, March 26^th from 7:00-9:00 p.m.  Don’t Miss It!

 

 

Sunday, April 4th

8:00-9:30 a.m.

Community Life Center

We are celebrating Christ’s resurrection with an endless supply of   pancakes, biscuits and gravy, ham, sausage, juice and coffee all made for your eating pleasure.  Come and enjoy this scrumptious fellowship activity.  Your belly will thank you!  A free will offering will be accepted for Family Ministry activities. Praise the Lord!  Alleluia! 

 

 

 

 

Come one…Come all…To the Annual Easter Egg Hunt.  On April 3, 2010 at 1:00 p.m., we will be having our second annual Easter Egg Hunt.  This year, we will have over 500 eggs to be found, thanks to the generosity of our members here at Good Shepherd.  This is a community event so bring as many families as you can find!  We will follow up the hunt with a resurrection party.  Come and see what this is all about!

 

Candy Donations Needed for this year’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt.  We have all of the eggs this year, but we need candy to fill more than 500 eggs.  A donation bin will be placed in the back of the worship center for candy collection.  This is a huge evangelism event.  Thanks for your support.